Barth
Accommodation in Barth
Barth lies on the southern shore of the Barther Bodden. The town is part of the Bodden lagoon chain, which is separated from the Baltic Sea by the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. Those looking for a destination with a lagoon setting, history and maritime attractions will find a range of options here: historic buildings, a museum devoted to the town’s history and a town harbour from which passenger ships depart for Zingst and Hiddensee.
Hafenbehörde im Stadthafen Barth (2022)
Photo: JoachimKohler-HB via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Town history between church and fortifications
Construction of St. Mary’s Church in Barth began around 1300. Its oldest part is the eastern choir, built in the Early Gothic style. The organ is also a defining feature of the church: created by Berlin organ builder Buchholz, it is particularly valuable for its unique sound. Organ concerts are held in the church from June to September. Visitors wishing to see the tower may do so up to 30 minutes before the church closes, provided the reading café is open.
The Dammtor gate and Fangelturm tower survive from the medieval fortifications; they are among the few remains still standing. Fangelturm dates from the 16th century. Together, the two buildings offer a tangible connection to the town’s former defences, while St. Mary’s Church, with its architectural history, represents a different historical focus.
The Adlige Fräuleinstift also stands in the heart of Barth. This two-winged Baroque complex was built between 1733 and 1741. A visit to the town thus offers a glimpse of different periods: medieval fortifications, the church’s Early Gothic building phase and the Baroque complex of the convent.
Museum, Bible history and shipping
The Vineta Museum explores the history of Barth and the lives of figures from art, literature and science across four floors. Its permanent exhibitions include the Barther Bible, the town’s history and the Vineta legend, which gave the museum its name. The museum thus focuses on both the town itself and the history of the Bible and the legend. Visitors interested in several of these subjects can find them brought together under one roof.
Another place to explore Bible and printing history is the St. Jürgen Barth Low German Bible Centre. By prior arrangement, visitors can print using a replica Gutenberg printing press. The offer is subject to one clear condition: participation is by prior arrangement. The Windjammer Museum organises tours and talks on request about the region’s maritime history and the era of the last great sailing ships.
The town harbour adds a maritime perspective to these cultural attractions: it is a departure point for passenger ships to Zingst and Hiddensee. This gives you a choice of interests to include in your travel plans, from architectural and town history to exhibitions and shipping. The information about the passenger ships lists destinations but not a timetable, so you should check specific departure times separately.
If you would like to broaden your search beyond Barth, you can also visit the pages for Karnin, Bartelshagen II Bei Barth, Löbnitz, Divitz-Spoldershagen, Trinwillershagen, Kenz-Küstrow and Saal.
For the broader travel overview: Amt Barth.
More about the destination
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